Heaven

Tony is chilling out in front of the open fire after 10 hours of driving. He's tried to spot my gannet blip on the Countryfile Calendar shortlist but the presenter has just held up the most beautiful kingfisher so there's always next year. Jen and Pete are in the conservatory with the rain pounding on the roof. Jen is busy on her laptop, playing Peter Gabriel oldies and tracking Becky on her train from Inverness which is running 20 minutes late. Becky has sent a text saying the views are lovely despite the awful weather, but it's now getting dark and she has no idea where she is at the moment. We do! Pete is absorbed in his book. The cat survived the journey and is asleep next to me on his blanket on the settee. I have a glass of very nice red to start my semi-retirement holiday. The bird feeders are filled, the remnants of Hurricane Katia are on the way, but do we care?

I have bored friends rigid with the description of my favourite Scottish cottage. The one detail I try to leave out is where it is.....I don't want them all rushing here! After we had emptied the car and between showers, I went out the back garden gate on to the small knoll behind the cottage and took this first view - towards Applecross. You might get to see more views this week.